Annapurna Circuit Trek Packing List
Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the most magnificent and jaw-dropping Himalayan experience in Nepal. It is a life-changing journey on the majestic trails of the Annapurna region. You will hike through one of the inspiring and challenging routes during this trek. So, a proper Annapurna Circuit Trek packing list is the most important before starting the trek.
There are climatic alterations in the Annapurna region. The Annapurna Circuit trek takes you from green hill at Besisahar to barren plains at Mustang. It spans over 160-230 km in length. It features geographically diverse terrains.
So you need to prepare for the various kind of climate you are likely to encounter along this trail. You need to consider your clothing sensibly as nights can be cold out there.
We have put together a packing list for your exceptional trek on the Annapurna Circuit. Following are the clothing and gears you need during the trek:
Backpacks for Annapurna Circuit Trek
Packing Satchel
On your Annapurna Circuit trek, a packing satchel helps you to carry goods and equipment. It also helps you to compartmentalize clothes, cables, and electronics.
A Big Rucksack
A big rucksack helps to carry the luggage for solo trekkers. A good rucksack with a proper waist strap will come handy for long, steep, and exhausting hike.
Supportive Daypack
You need to have a Supportive day pack throughout the trek. The day pack will help you to carry essential hiking snacks, rain jacket, waterproof trousers, down jacket and camera. Furthermore, it will also have plenty of space for sunscreen, a hat, sunnies, and other personal items for your trek.
Waterproof Dry Bag
A Waterproof dry bag helps to protect your valuables from rain. Moreover, it has plenty of space for a warm jacket, rain gear, and snacks.
Clothing
Layering is an important concept for clothing during your Annapurna Circuit trek. Proper clothing will help you stay warm from all the winds on the trek. The trekking clothes are made of various fabrics like wool cotton and denim to absorb moisture.
But, the layers of clothes you will wear will fluctuate depending on the weather conditions. The altitude ranges from 1,000 meters in Besisahar to 5,416 meters at Thorong La Pass. This variation changes the clothing accordingly. Moreover, you need to consider your clothing according to the season of your trek.
Inner layer
You need to carry at least 5 pairs of quick-drying and breathable underwear for your trek. The breathable underwear helps to keep you comfortable throughout the trek.
The thermal wear is comfortable and warm. Thermal wears help to keep you warm during the night time of the trek.
Upper layer
The synthetic made upper layer is ideal for Annapurna Circuit trek. They are light. Further, they are easier to wash and they tend to dry quickly.
Long-sleeved shirts help to keep you warm and protect from sunburn during the trek. Short- sleeved shirts help to trek during summer.
Lower body layer
Quick drying, semi-waterproof, and convertible hiking trousers are comfortable for Annapurna Circuit trek. You can have either have short or full convertible hiking trousers.
Also, you can have wool or fleece variation of trousers to keep you warm and cozy in higher elevations. Moreover, the waterproof trousers will come in handy during the unpredictable climatic condition.
List of other clothing :
- Light thermal tops
- Fleece windstopper jacket
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
- Down vest
- Waterproof breathable fabric shell jacket
- Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket
- Hiking shorts
- Hiking trousers
- lightweight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool trousers
- Non-cotton underwear briefs
- Waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Gloves
Gloves help to keep your hands warm during the hike. It helps to prevent your hands can from frostbite at a higher altitude region. So, you need to pack yourself outer gloves and inner gloves. These gloves will also protect your hands from water and wind.
List of Gloves or Hand wears:
- mittens (seasonal)
- lightweight wool or fleece gloves
- lightweight poly-liner gloves.
Footwear
Blisters are a major concern during your trek on the Annapurna Circuit. So, you need to have a reliable pair of socks and trekking boots to comfort your ankles and sole during the long hike.
Trekking Thermal Socks
You need to have a pair of thermal socks during your trek in the colder parts of the Annapurna Circuit. These thermal socks are breathable, light, and moisture absorbing. It also helps to prevent blisters. However, you will need lightweight socks to keep your feet dry during your trek in Summer.
Hiking boots
A good pair of hiking boots help you to walk through the diverse geographies during the trek. You will be hiking on plain lands, muddy ground, wet snow, and grainy riverbanks during your trek. Thus you need to choose a reliable pair of hiking boots to ease your trek. The hiking boot should be lightweight, durable, and comfortably cushioned with a good grip on the outsole.
Pair of Sandals/Flip-Flops
A pair of sandals will be useful in the tea-houses and hotels during your Annapurna Circuit trek. These sandals or flip-flops will come handy while you take a shower or use the bathroom.
Gaiters
Gaiters are usually waterproof and act as protective garments for your legs. They cover a part of the lower half of the leg i.e. from ankle to the calf. Gaiters help to protect from stones, water, snow, mud, and dust. They are light and easy to carry around.
List of other footwear:
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Heavy poly or wool socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Trainers or running shoes
- Cotton socks Gaiters
Sleeping Accessories
Sleeping bags are the core of your packaging list for the Annapurna trek. It’s true that most of the trekking houses provide you with blankets to keep yourself warm. Yet, a sleeping bag will help to stay warm during cold nights.
A sleeping bag liner on your packing is handy at a lower altitude. Both the sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner will be useful according to the climatic condition.
List of sleeping accessories
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Bag Liner
Headwear
You need to have a good pair of headwears like a headband or a beanie during the Annapurna Circuit trek. The headwear will help your head to stay warm and protect from snow, rain and excessive sunlight.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are useful in absorbing the stress from the eyes. Also, it assists in protecting your eyes from harsh sunlight at higher altitudes. It also helps to protect your eyes from any possible gust of wind.
Hat or fleece hat
A hat is very useful during your trek in summer, especially at lower altitudes. The sun hat will protect your skin around the face from sunburn by providing shade. A fleece hat helps to keep your head warm and safe from the snow at higher altitudes.
Bandana or scarf
Bandana/ Scarf comes in handy at the dusty part of the trail of the hiking at Annapurna Circuit. Bandana/ Scarf helps to cover your mouth and nose at the dusty part of the trek.
List of Head wears:
- A warm hat (wool or synthetic)
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Bandana or headscarf
- Prescription sunglasses
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
First aid
You will be hiking through different physical conditions. In some cases, you might suffer from altitude sickness at higher altitudes. You might catch a common cold due to the difference in temperature. In addition, there might be muscle sprains or other injuries. So, you need to have proper first aid kits.
You should also consider packing Diamox to avoid the risk of high altitude sickness. Paracetamol and Imodium can be useful in case of sudden fever and unpleasant diarrhea.
List of Medication :
- Paracetamol
- Diamox/ Altitude Sickness tablet
- Imodium
- Chlorine Dioxide Tablets/ Water Purification Tablets
- Insect Repellent
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Small Bandages and plasters
- Antiseptic Cream
You need to have following items on a daily basis during your trek on the Annapurna Circuit trek:
Toiletries
- Medium sized towel
- Toothbrush/paste
- Multi-purpose soap
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
Personal Hygiene
- Wet wipes
- Tissue /toilet roll
- Anti-bacterial hand wash
Extras
- Book
- Guide book
- Journal and pen
- Swimsuit
- Binoculars
- Voltage converter
- Plug adapter
- Lightweight pillowcase
Important documents and items
- Valid passport
- Separate photocopies of passport
- 2 extra passport size photos
- Airline tickets
- Proof of insurance
- Dollars, pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing goods or paying for them
- Credit cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines
- Traveler’s checks
Things to consider during Annapurna Circuit trek
A Dramatic change in Climate throughout the trek
You will experience different climatic conditions on the Annapurna Circuit trek. You will hike from tropical plains to alpine climatic zones on the course of the trek. So, you will walk on shorts and shirts, and on heavy clothes according to climatic conditions.
Season of trek
Different seasons have different features and experiences for you.
During the autumn season (September to November), the weather is ideal and for trekking. It is also the peak time to trek.
Winter season ( December to February) provides a clear view of mountains and panorama. In addition, off-season discounts along the trails might make this trek budget friendly.
During Spring season ( March to May), flowers blossom in the trails of the trek. It provides a beautiful view along with a good vibe to trek. Spring also offers a beautiful view of the mountains. It also provides a warm and favorable temperature for trekking.
During the Summer season (June to August), the Annapurna receives a lot of rainfall. Rainfall helps to keep dust and pollutants settled. Few trekkers come to the Annapurna region in this season help for a better experience. However, the trail might get slippery due to rainfall.
Weight of the baggage
You need to be very careful about the things you choose to bring in the hike. The weight limit is 15 kg. Overload of the baggage might bring difficulty during the hike. But you should not leave your important items just to prevent overload of the baggage. So, you need to include important items within the limit.
Shopping hiking gear
You can buy reliable gears and clothes from Kathmandu. You can find the clothing and gears for your trek at a cheaper price and convincing counterfeit.
You can get yourself reliable clothing and equipment at a price range from $500 to $100. You can also rent a sleeping bag, down jacket and hiking boots for $1 per day.
Conclusion
There is no restriction on your clothing and packaging on Annapurna Circuit trek. So, you can wear according to your preference and comfort as long as the weather favors you.
You will need a good pair of gloves, thick socks and a warm layer of clothes in high altitudes regions of Annapurna. Your packaging list must include down jacket, waterproof jacket and lightweight pants to enhance the comfort of your trekking experience.
You also need to take first aid kits and emergency contact just in case. You also need to choose the time of your trek wisely.